CYLCHGRAWN PLWYF PARISH MAGAZINE Mawrth/March 2014 50c/50p Deoniaeth Cyfeiliog a Mawddwy Deanery. 1
30 Tregarth, Machynlleth Dear friends, The theme of the Diocesan Retreat in February was Icons, Images and Prayer. The Retreat Director, the Revd Christopher Perrins, led us through the art of painting Icons from the very particular way the wood is prepared, the special materials needed in the preparation, to the different paints used. Icons are one form of worship in that they are created through contemplation on a passage from the Holy Scriptures, prayer on that passage and from these the release of the creative instincts of the painter. Rublev s well known Icon depicting the meeting of Abraham with the angels (Genesis 18) also seen as representing the Holy Trinity, has inspired many over the centuries and has helped countless Christians to engage prayerfully with God. During our mid-week Lent services we will have time to reflect on this Icon as we come together to discern God s call and presence in our lives. We all come to God, pray to God in a variety of ways and the presence of the icon in our services may be helpful or not, that is up to each individual, but I encourage you, as does Bishop Andrew, to devote more time to prayer this Lent and join us on Thursday evenings at St Peter s at 6pm. The Bishop encourages us to become a praying people and Diocese May we use this time to seek out God s prayer within us to hear God s voice speak to us, and perhaps discern with in us a calling to a particular ministry or other means of exercising our gifts within the church With every blessing to you and yours Revd Kathleen 2
UNDEB Y MAMAU - MOTHERS' UNION Then members attended the meeting on 20th February in the Parish Office. The service was led by Enrolling Member, Mrs. Joyce Price. Mrs. Alice Hughes read the lesson and Mrs. Margaret Hughes was the accompanist. Apologies were received from Mrs. Ann Armstrong and Mrs. Ann Humphries. Readers were chosen for the Women's World Day of Prayer. Dates for the Diary :- Women's World Day of Prayer - Friday 7th March in St. Peter's Church at 2pm. Rehearsal - Thurs. 6th March - 2 pm. Lady Day - Wed. 26th March. Mothering Sunday - 30th March - 10.30 am- Collection towards Make a Mother's Day N.B - April meeting will be on the 10th April (2nd Thurs) due to Maundy Thursday being on the 3rd Thurs. A congratulatory card was sent to Rev. Emyr Wyn and Mrs. Rowlands on the birth of their grandson - Ioan Wyn Clarke, to Elin and Owain in Cardiff on Feb. 16th. In the absence of a speaker, a humorous dialogue with a message was read by Mrs. Marilyn Jones and Mrs. Margaret Hughes, and Mrs. Margaret Searson organised a quiz. The tea hostesses were Mrs. Alice Hughes and Mrs. Margaret Hughes, who were thanked by Mrs. Joyce Price. the next meeting will be the "Quiet Afternoon" on March 20th. M.H SYMPATHY We send our sincere sympathies to the family of Mrs Rita Fleming, Glascoed, Garden Village, Machynlleth, who passed away on the 16th February. Her funeral took place at St Peter s Church on Tuesday 25th February. To all who are finding life difficult at present, we send our love and prayers. 3
ST PETER S LADIES FELLOWSHIP Mrs Muriel Evans led a short service to open our February meeting, Margaret Searson read the lesson. A short business meeting followed where our outing in May was discussed with several venues being suggested. Muriel welcomed Mr Elfyn Pugh who gave a very interesting talk on his trip to Antartica showing a slide show of the beautiful wild life and islands that make up the Antartic Continent. Mrs Sylvia Williams gave the vote of thanks for a very enjoyable and interesting afternoon. The tea hostesses were Muriel Evans and Elizabeth Jones. Our next meeting will be on the 11th March when the guest speaker will be Dilys Williams talking about Magic Lanterns A.H. WOMENS WORLD DAY OF PRAYER The Womens World Day of Prayer is a world wide movement led by Christian women of many traditions who call the faithful together to observe a common day of prayer. More than 170 countries participate in an annual day of celebration which brings together people of various races, cultures and traditions sharing together in God s word and worship. The movement started in North America and Canada in the 19th century when Christian women came together to initiate various activities in support of women s involvement in mission at home and other parts of the world. The movement came to the U.K. through the missionary work of a Scots woman, Grace Foreman. The first service was held in Scotland in 1930 and soon spread to the rest of the U.K. A service is held world wide on the first Friday in March, Through The Women s World Day of Prayer Christians affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence in the world. There will be a service at St Peter s Church, Machynlleth on Friday 7th March at 2pm. All, women and men, are very warmly welcome to come and join us in worship, prayer, fellowship and refreshments. (excerpts taken from official leaflets. For more information visit www.wwdp-natcomm.org) 4
MOTHERING SUNDAY & MOTHER CHURCH. The Fourth Sunday in Lent was called Mid-Lent or Refreshment Sunday, when the rigor's of Lent were relaxed more than was normal for a feast day. It is called Mothering Sunday as a reference to the Epistle reading for the Day (Galatians 4:21-31). The Lenten Epistles follow from each other with teaching about our life as Christians and how we are to follow Christ. On Midlent Sunday the Epistle talks of bondage and freedom; the bondage of the Law and the Old covenant as compared to the freedom in Christ, "the promised one", and the New Covenant. Verse 26 reads "But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all." We gain our freedom from Christ and, as it was seen before the Reformation, the Church. Thus Mothering Sunday is about the freedom that we gain through the promise of Jesus Christ delivered through our Mother the Church. People were encouraged to go to their Mother Church (their home church or their home Cathedral) to worship and give thanks. Hence apprentices, and others, went home for the weekend and often brought gifts (or accumulated pay) home to their family. On the other hand, Mother's Day is a secular festival invented in 1904 and is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday in May in most countries in the world. The British Isles seem to be the exception. In recent years Mothering Sunday has been hijacked to take the place of a special, secular day to give thanks for our mothers. MOTHERING SUNDAY SERVICE FAMILY EUCHARIST 10.30am ST PETER S CHURCH 5
ARCHDEACON S VISITATION 2014. It has been a pleasure to welcome Archdeacon Andrew to our Deanery for his Visitation. This year the traditional evening Visitation and Archdeacon s Charge was replaced by a two day visit to all the Deaneries/Ministry Areas in the Archdeaconry. On Monday (24th) the Archdeacon joined the proposed Ministry Team at St Peter s for a celebration of the Holy Eucharist followed by a discussion on the formation of the Ministry Area of Cyfeiliog and Mawddwy. Following a shared lunch he made a short tour of the parishes of Corris, Llanwrin and Penegoes. The PCCs of the eight churches in the Deanery then gathered at St Peter s where Archdeacon Andrew explained the process involved in becoming a Ministry Area, the time-line for that process and answered questions from the floor. The decision of all the churches to proceed with the formation of the Ministry Area will now be taken to the Diocesan Standing Committee and the Bishop s Council for approval at the end of March; a date will then be set by the Bishop for a licensing and Induction service for the Ministry Team and Team Leaders during the summer. Following refreshments provided by the Mothers Union and Deanery members there was a short service when the Archdeacon gave his Visitation Charge. On Tuesday morning we gathered at St Tydecho Church, Cemaes for a celebration of the Holy Eucharist followed by a short business meeting. Unfortunately the planned visit around Bro Ddyfi Uchaf parish had to be cancelled due to the weather. The two days were a good chance for parishioners to meet and speak with the Archdeacon and a good opportunity for him to meet with us in a less formal way. Thanks to the Mothers Union for organising excellent refreshments once again and to all whom made the Archdeacon s visit welcoming and successful. LLONGYFARCHIADAU/CONGRATULATIONS! I Elin ac Owain Clarke (Caerdydd) ar enedigaeth Ioan Wyn, wyr bach i Emyr a Lis Rowlands (Reithor a Mrs Rowlands). Mae r Ddioniaeth yn wrth eu bodd i glywed am y newyddion da! To Martin & Sian Hughes, 80 Bryn y Gog, on becoming grandparents for the first time to Isla Keeva a daughter to Lynne & Nick Harvey. 6
MACHYNLLETH, LLANWRIN, PENEGOES & CORRIS GWASANAETHU R SUL/SUNDAY SERVICES. Mawrth 2 March Sul y Gweddnewidiad Transfiguration Sunday 8.00 a.m. Holy Eucharist 9.30 a.m. Y Cymun Bendigaid/Holy Eucharist (Llanwrin) 9.30 a.m. Y Cymun Bendigaid/Holy Eucharist (Corris) 11.00 a.m. Bilingual Holy Eucharist Mawrth 9 March Garawys 1 Lent 9.30 a.m. Morning Prayer(Corris) 11.00 a.m. Bilingual Service for Lent Mawrth 16 March Garawys 2 Lent 8.00 a.m. Holy Eucharist 9.30 a.m. Y Cymun Bendigaid (Llanwrin) 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist/Y Cymun Bendigaid (Corris) 11.00 a.m. Bilingual Holy Eucharist Mawrth 23 March Garawys 3 Lent 9.30 a.m. Y Cymun Bendigaid 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist/Y Cymun Bendigaid (Corris) 11.00 a.m. Holy Eucharist 11.00 a.m. Y Cymun Bendigaid (Penegoes) Mawrth 30 March Garawys 4 Lent Sul y Fam /Mothering Sunday 10.30 a.m. Bilingual Holy Eucharist St Peter s SERVICES FOR LENT. Ash Wednesday and every Wednesday during Lent 10am Holy Eucharist 11am 1pm Lent Course at the Parish Office Thursday 6 th March and every Thursday in Lent 6pm Hwyrol Weddi/Evening Prayer 7
ROTA OF READERS. Mawrth 9 March :Garawys 1 Lent 11:00 am To Be Arranged Mawrth 16 March:Garawys 2 Lent 8:00 am Miss Pru Probert 11:00 am Rev. Brian Thomas/ Capt. Richard Lambert Mawrth 23 March :Garawys 3 Lent 9:30 am Mrs Ann Armstrong 11;00 am Mrs Jeanne Kerridge Mawrth 30 March :Sul Y Fam/ Mothering Sunday 10:30 am To Be Arranged Ebrill 6 April: Sul Y Dioddefaint/ Passion Sunday 8:00 am Mr Ken Searson 11.00 am Mrs Muriel Evans / Mrs Marilyn Brunton ROTA OF SIDESPERSONS. Mawrth 9 March :Garawys 1 Lent 11:00 am Mr Geraint Davies / Mr Henry Holt Mawrth 16 March :Garawys 2 Lent 8:00 am Mr W.Ll Williams 11:00 am Capt Richard Lambert/ Mr Ken Searson Mawrth 23 February: Garawys 3 Lent 9:30 am Mr Emyr Roberts 11:00 am Mrs Dorothy Edwards / Mrs Pauline Davies Mawrth 30 March:Sul Y Fam/ Mothering Sunday 10:30 am Mrs Muriel Evans/Mrs Margaret Davies/ Mrs Gwenda Price/ Mrs Ann Armstrong Ebrill 6 April: Sul Y Dioddefaint/ Passion Sunday 8.00 am Mr Elfed Jones / Mr Henry Holt 8
CEMAES, DAROWEN, MALLWYD & LLANBRYNMAIR GWASANAETHU R SUL/SUNDAY SERVICES. Mawrth 2 March Sul y Gweddnewidiad Transfiguration Sunday Cemaes 09:45 am. PW(E) Darowen... Mallwyd 11:15 am. PW(MP) Llanbrynmair 10:30 am. RPB AGM Mawrth 9 March Garawys 1 Lent Cemaes 09:45 am. RPB(E) AGM Darowen 14:00 pm. RPB(EP) Mallwyd... Llanbrynmair... Mawrth 16 March Garawys 2 Lent Cemaes 09:45 am. JE(MP) Darowen... Mallwyd 11:15 am. RPB(E)AGM 10:30 Llanbrynmair... Mawrth 23 March Garawys 3 Lent Cemaes 09:45 am. PW(E) Darowen 14:00 pm. RPB(E) Mallwyd 11:15 am. PW(E) Llanbrynmair... Mawrth 30 March Garawys 4 Lent Sul y Fam /Mothering Sunday Cemaes 09:45 am. RPB(E) Darowen... Mallwyd 11:45 am. RPB(E) Llanbrynmair 14:00 pm. RPB(E) 9
NEWS ROUND. CORRIS. We in Corris M.U. Are looking forward to joining in in our Lovely Day Service with our fellow members in St Peter s Machynlleth. Corris and Machynlleth have for quite a few years shared many meetings and events, but still retaining their individual ways of membership of the Mother s Union and this is what makes our fellowship unique. Our meeting with the Archdeacon helped greatly for us to understand the changes in the organisation and ministry of our area. We look forward with hope to bright future for our church. PARISH MAGAZINE. I m sure you have noticed over the last weeks that the layout and content of the magazine has been changing. As we move ever closer to becoming a Ministry Area we must become more pro-active in doing things together and this magazine is one place we can start. This magazine is an ideal communication tool and good communication is paramount in any situation. As from next month the magazine will be for the whole of what will be the new Ministry Area Machynlleth, Corris, Llanwrin and Penegoes, Mallwyd, Cemaes, Llambrynmair and Darowen. There will be more news and event information from all the eight churches as well as general articles and information. We invite anyone who would like to contribute to the magazine on a regular basis or a one-off to contact Mr Clive Thomas. There are exciting times ahead folks so let s move forward together in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Blodau r Allor Eglwys Machynlleth Parish Church. Mawrth 2 March Mawrth 9 March Mawrth 15 March Mawrth 22 March Mawrth 29 March Mrs Pauline Davies, 44 Cae Crwn. Lent no flowers. Lent no flowers. Lent no flowers. Lent no flowers. 10
CHRISTIAN AID WORLD NEWS. Floods follow Typhoon Haiyan Massive flooding in the Philippines is hindering the efforts of people to rebuild their lives in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, says Christian Aid. Tropical Depression Agaton has recently brought heavy rain and fierce winds, causing widespread flooding which affected more than 900,000 people across the island chain. Many were already living in temporary shelters and struggling to earn a living following Haiyan, which displaced 4.1 million and left over 6,000 dead last November. The Philippines - the most storm hit country in the world - experiences approximately 20 typhoons every year, threatening millions of people. Christian Aid s Head of Humanitarian programmes, Adrian Ouvry said: The task of rebuilding following emergencies like Typhoon Haiyan and Typhoon Bopha takes years. For poor and marginalised communities trying to piece back their lives, events like Agaton make this task incredibly difficult. However, the courage and resolve of Filipinos in the face of a seemingly unending torrent of extreme weather is incredible. Crisis in Syria This month (March) sees the third anniversary of the start of the crisis in Syria. The recent international peace conference in Geneva marked the first direct talks between both sides in the conflict. UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, had said it would be "unforgivable not to seize this opportunity" to end a conflict that has left more than 100,000 people dead and driven 9.5 million from their homes. Christian Aid urges: A broader engagement that goes beyond the main political actors to include local people committed to non-violence including women, faith leaders, and representatives of refugees and internally displaced populations will be an essential part of creating a lasting peace. Our experience of working in conflict situations informs our view that peace building is a process that includes critical steps, including building trust between communities, providing protection for minorities, establishing transitional justice mechanisms and rule of law as well as disarming paramilitary groups. 11
St David (Dewi Sant) by David Winter On March 1st Wales celebrates its patron saint, David - or, in Welsh, Dewi or Dafydd. He is indisputably British, and is revered wherever Welsh people have settled. As with most figures from the so-called Dark Ages (he lived in the sixth century), reliable details about his life are scarce, but there are enough for us to form a picture of a formidably austere, disciplined and charismatic leader, who led the Church in Wales through turbulent years and fought tenaciously for the faith. It s likely that he was strengthened in his ministry by time spent in Ireland, where the Church was stronger and more confident. Early records tell of a meeting of Irish church leaders with three Britons, as they were described, among them bishop David. His mother, Non, is also celebrated as a saint in Wales, where a number of churches are dedicated in her name. That he founded a monastery at Menevia, in Pembrokeshire, seems beyond doubt. It later became the site of St David s cathedral and the settlement which is now the smallest city in the United Kingdom. From Menevia David embarked on preaching and teaching missions across Wales, and probably beyond. His eloquence was legendary. At a famous Synod of the Church, held at a Carmarthenshire village called Brefi, he preached passionately against the Arian heresy - indeed, so passionately that he was (according to some accounts) immediately named as archbishop of Wales. The village is now known as Llandewi Brefi - brefi in Welsh is a hillock, and legend claims that it appeared miraculously in order to provide the eloquent bishop with a pulpit. His monks avoided wine and beer, drinking only water. Indeed, he and they lived lives of rigorous austerity and constant prayer, in the manner of the Desert Fathers of the Eastern Church. The date of David s death is disputed - either 589 or 601. It wasn t until the twelfth century that he was generally accepted as the patron saint of Wales, and pilgrimages to St David s were highly regarded in the following centuries - including two made by English kings, William I and Henry II. It s traditional for Welsh people to wear daffodils on St David s Day (Gwyl Dewi Sant in Welsh) - but there seems no particular reason for it, beyond the fact that they tend to make their early Spring appearance round about his day - oh, and they look nice! 12
A LETTER FROM OUR SPONSORED CHILD 13
St Peter s Plodders March Walk. The Rhiwlwyfan Loop. (4.5 miles) Saturday 8th February. Meeting at St Peter s Church at 9:30 am the walk will proceed up Maengwyn St and on towards Forge, bearing right in Forge onto the Uwchygarreg road. In about half a mile we again bear right onto a forestry track which climbs steadily up to Rhiwlwyfan farm. From here there are many excellent views of the valleys below. The first valley is Dyffryn Dulas, which leads towards Aberhosan with Montgomeryshire s highest mountain - Foel Fadian - in the background. The next valley is Cwm Ceniarth with its varied farmland and woods. The walk from now on is a gentle incline down the tarmac road exiting on the mail road just south of Forge and back to town. We shall be going for refreshments on our return, so sandwiches are optional. THE BIBLE ACCORDING TO CHILDREN. Children s version of biblical stories and events have a charm all their own. The following ef- forts have not been retouched or corrected (i.e. bad spelling has been left in). Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah built an ark, which the animals came on to in pears. Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by night. The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards, Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the ten amendments. Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the Apostles. 14
High Class Meat Purveyors William Lloyd Williams. All types of meat cut for deep freeze. All stock dressed at our own abattoir. E.E.C. No. 7069. Retailer & Wholesaler. 5 Maengwyn Street Machynlleth, Powys Tel:01654 702106, 703280, 702193 Mob: 07836 685548 15